Engine cooling system

Abstract

The invention makes use of a second thermostat in an engine cooling system, normally equipped with only a single thermostat. The second thermostat differs from the single thermostat in that provision is made for a constant, though materially diminished, flow of coolant past the second thermostat which, when the need arises, is converted to full flow by action of the second thermostat.

I claim: 
     
       1. A system for embodiment in a cooling circuit for a combustion engine in which the circuit makes use of a cooling jacket for the engine, a radiator, a hot coolant outflow line from the jacket to the radiator, a cool coolant inflow line from the radiator to the jacket and a circulating pump in said circuit, said system comprising a first thermostat activated valve device in said outflow line triggered to operate at a selected temperature, a second thermostat activated valve device in said inflow line triggered to operate at a selected temperature, said first valve device when in normal position having a full shut-off adjacent and when triggered to operate having a full flow adjustment, said second valve device when in normal position having a partial flow adjustment and when triggered to operate having a full flow adjustment. 
     
     
       2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said second thermostat activated valve device is at a location between the radiator and the jacket. 
     
     
       3. A system as in claim 2 wherein the circulating pump is at a location between the second thermostat activated valve device and the jacket. 
     
     
       4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said partial flow adjustment is at about 1/4 the full flow capacity of said inflow line. 
     
     
       5. A system as in claim 1 wherein there is a bypass passage in said second thermostat activated valve device for said partial flow adjustment. 
     
     
       6. A system as in claim 1 wherein said second thermostat activated valve device comprises, a valve seat and valve element, said partial flow adjustment comprising a partial flow passage means through said valve element. 
     
     
       7. A system as in claim 1 wherein said second thermostat activated valve device and said first thermostat activated valve device are triggered to operate at substantially the same temperature.